Chateau de Montcaud

Rooms

The immaculate interiors were a collaboration between Swiss designer Iria Degen and local architect Sophie Petit. Together, they reimagined the classical elegance of the original building to provide understated modern luxury. Box-sprung beds with extra-long mattress are dressed with top-quality linen; enormous windows overlook the gardens. Spacious ensuite bathrooms offer rain showers or rolltop tubs and chic Codage products.

The rooms in the main house range from simple Classics to the magnificent Collain Suite with its 5m ceilings, in-room bathtub and heritage silk theme. We'd recommend Privilege or above in order to really appreciate the grandeur and generosity of this stately chateau. Our Corner Junior Suite was magnificent: tall windows over the grounds, chandeliers in both bedroom and bathroom, his and hers sinks, and a lovely chaise longue to recline on with a post-prandial Nespresso. The double glazing and A/C were both very effective.

On the top floor, the spacious 2-bedroom Duplex Suites are ideal for families, with living areas including a mezzanine with chaise longue and a south-facing balcony. Couples with one child might prefer the charming 2-storey La Maison, the estate’s gatehouse, with its private terrace and BBQ; those seeking privacy might opt for the self-contained L’Appartement above the restaurant. Both these are equipped for self-catering but have full access to the hotel’s amenities.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

The food at Le Cèdre (open Wed-Sun evenings) is exceptional: a highlight of our stay. Talented chef Matthieu Hervé offers a tasting "menu aveugle" of 4- to 7 courses: essentially a surprise menu but happily accommodating any allergies and preferences. Expect both terre and plenty of mer: fish and shellfish are from the south coast, while high-quality meat is sourced locally.

Two highlights from our gourmet adventure were the salty-but-fresh amberjack fillets served with pools of carrot purée and chive consommé; and the crab meat in its pleasingly tart reduction of celery and Granny-Smith apples, plus a hit of sturgeon caviar for good measure. But in truth every single dish was a delight, prettily decorated with purple petals and herb leaves, with perfect pyramids of vegetable reduction. Naturally, dishes are paired with wine from the French-only wine list, and finish with a selection of tempting cheeses and moreish desserts.

Less formal but equally delightful is the adjacent Bistro de Montcaud, open daily for lunch and dinner, indoors or out. Expect a short, affordable and delicious menu of regional fare along with a few crowd pleasers: perhaps red tuna with grilled Mediterranean veg, or lamb chops with a minty eggplant dip and roast spuds. You might start with beef tataki, foie gras or asparagus; end with choc fondant, or hazelnut shortbread and lemon sorbet; and wash it all down with a carafe of local wine.

A superb buffet breakfast is available each morning, with a selection of freshly made pastries, fruit, yoghurt, eggs to order, and more besides. Don't miss the fresh-baked madeleines, the local honey and fig jam, and the wonderful cheeses. We loved sitting outside beneath rustling plane trees and chirruping songbirds, looking out onto clipped lawns and flowering rose bushes.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• Walk or jog through the chateau’s leafy grounds to find the hidden grotto; swim in the heated pool, and borrow rackets for a knockabout on the grass tennis court
  
• The world-renowned wine regions of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône are on your doorstep; take a private tour to learn about (and taste!) products from local vintners
  
• Borrow the hotel's e-bikes (they're free) to cycle along the Cèze Valley to the Sautadet waterfalls and river pools: a gorgeous picnic and swim spot.
  
• Stop for coffee in the lovely village of La Roque-sur-Cèze, or continue to Goudargues and Montclus if you're keen
  
• The hotel can arrange a whole host of activities from kayaking in the Ardeche Gorge to horse riding trips or tandem skydiving
  
• Visit some of Provence's most famous sights including Avignon's Palais des Papes (40km), the impressive 3-tiered Pont du Gard aqueduct (33km) and the Roman city of Nîmes (52km)
  
• Day trip to the coast; within 1.5 hours are the wetlands of the Camargue National Park and Montpellier’s sandy beaches

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Museums / galleries
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Wine tasting

Kids

Families are welcome (little ones receive a special in-room welcome) and there’s masses of space for kids to run about. The heated swimming pool is fenced off and has a shallow splash area, ideal for little ones. Kids' meals are available in both bistro and restaurant, and if there’s nothing on the menu they fancy, the kitchen will rustle something up. Baby cots are free of charge, as are breakfasts for kids under 6.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

The best option for families of 4-5 are the top-floor Duplex Suites, which have 2 large ensuite bedrooms (1 kingsize, 1 twin) and ample living space. All rooms apart from Classics and the Collain Suite can fit an extra bed, and some interconnect. Classic rooms have space for a baby cot only. If you’re looking to self-cater, L’Appartement (sleeps 3) has a kitchenette while La Maison (sleeps 3, or 4 at a pinch) has a fully equipped kitchen. For larger parties, take the first floor in Le Mas which includes L'Appartement and two Classic rooms, you get your own private entrance too.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 65km (Avignon-Provence)
• Shop: 5km
• Hospital: 5km

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Chateau de Montcaud is set within its own 12-acre park near the town of Sabran in the Cèze Valley of southeast France.

By Air:
The nearest airports are Avignon-Provence (65km, 50 minutes), Nimes (76km, 1 hour) and Marseilles (130km, 90 minutes).

You'll probably want a car to explore the region (see our car rental recommendations), but the hotel offers a transfer service and can arrange local taxis during your stay if you'd prefer not to drive.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.com.